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Manchester United Deflates Chelsea Title Hopes

Javier Hernández scoring Manchester United’s first goal on Sunday on the way to a 2-1 defeat of Chelsea, its closest rival in the standings. The victory gave Manchester United a six-point lead over Chelsea with two matches left to play.Credit
Phil Noble/Reuters

It defeated its closest rival, Chelsea, 2-1, at Old Trafford on Sunday and, with the third-placed Arsenal losing, 3-1, at Stoke City earlier in the afternoon, United needs only a point from two remaining games to reclaim the title.

The architect of the victory Sunday, the brain behind so many Manchester United triumphs down the years, was Ryan Giggs. At 37, he changes roles the way a great stage actor transforms his performance to suit his age.

Once a winger fleet of foot, Giggs is now able to plot the attacks, to create from deep positions, to release those who have greater energy or pace than he.

It took just 36 seconds for that combination to down Chelsea in this critical match. Giggs, from his own half of the field, released a pass to Park Ji-sung. The South Korean, a master of industry, immediately played the ball forward, and when Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz attempted to intercept it, he managed only to deflect it behind him.

There was the predator. Javier Hernândez, the Mexican kid who is 15 years younger than Giggs, seldom needs a second opportunity. Quicker than you could say his nickname, “Chicharito,” he sped away from Luiz and, without the slightest show of nerves, he placed the ball wide of the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech.

That goal set the template to the evening duel. Chelsea’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, had said before the encounter that his team had to win or the title race was over. Ancelotti also identified Wayne Rooney as the best player in English soccer — indeed he went further, he spoke of Rooney as a player he would rather have than Lionel Messi.

The message was not lost on the Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Three times the Serbian fouled Rooney and was no doubt glad that Howard Webb, the passive policeman who refereed the World Cup final, is not a man to send anyone off in a big game.

But this contest was effectively put out of Chelsea’s reach at 23 minutes. Giggs crafted the move when he dodged beyond John Obi Mikel near the corner flag. From Giggs’s cross, United’s big Serbian defender, Nemanja Vidic, powered in the second goal with his head.

Chelsea’s team spirit, its never-say-die attitude, refused to surrender.

The physical strength and stamina of the London side was so outstanding that at one stage midway through the second half three Manchester defenders — Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans and Fábio — all lay on the ground needing treatment.

Chelsea, though, could not batter down the defensive door. It did, once, when Ramires crossed from the right, Ivanovic won the ball in the air, and Frank Lampard poked the ball over United’s goal line from three meters, or about 10 feet.

Once was a warning, but never enough. Even when Chelsea made changes, including Fernando Torres coming off the bench, United remained in control. Hernández had the chances to score a hat trick, but was overjoyed to be virtually a champion in his first season out of Mexico.

His adaptation to the hustle and bustle of English soccer is counted by United’s manager, Alex Ferguson, as one of the biggest surprises he has known in his 25 years at Old Trafford.

And Fergie has seen a lot. This will be the 12th time since the Premier League was formed 19 years ago that United has won it. It will also be the 12th time Giggs and Sir Alex have shared that winning feeling.